Police investigate mass brawl at Southport Football Club

A MASS brawl at the culmination of Southport Football Club's draw with Redditch United is being probed by Merseyside Police.

Players and officials traded blows at the final whistle after a feisty encounter at Haig Avenue on Saturday.

Police were called to the stadium in the wake of the melee, described by ‘Port boss Peter Davenport as the worst scenes he had witnessed in 25 years of football.

Both sides could also face severe sanctions from the Football Association.

The Midweek Visiter’s Southport FC correspondent Alan Jones said there was “absolutely no doubt” that the ugly scenes were instigated by an increasingly hostile Redditch side.

He said: “Redditch are certainly culpable and accountable for what happened, but the referee really let it spiral out of control. There was a violent undercurrent throughout the second half. Considering what Southport were up against, I thought they conducted themselves very well.”

The Worcestershire side had two players dismissed from the pitch in injury time as Southport sought a winner.

But the game boiled over when referee John Dowd blew for full time instead of dealing with a crude tackle on ‘Port defender Paul Barratt.

Police arrived at Haig Avenue at 6pm to take away video footage of the match and ensuing fracas as evidence.

The story about the shocking scenes was initially revealed on Saturday on our website www.southportvisiter.co.uk

Port chief executive Haydn Preece said: “Southport prides itself on being a family club and the events on the final whistle created by the conduct of Saturday's opponents are not in keeping anywhere, let alone a sporting arena.”

Councillor David Pearson, who has watched Southport for 60 years, was among the crowd.

He said: “I have never seen anything like it. They were disgraceful scenes – I just hope that Southport don’t get punished.”

Redditch manager Gary Whild said he would deal with his players upon viewing the match video.

He said: “If anyone has stepped out of line then they will be dealt with accordingly.Everyone has to be accountable for their actions, no matter who they are.”